Washington, D.C. (CNN) - The CNN Political Ticker is live blogging the CNN Republican National Security Debate in Washington, D.C. Check here for live updates throughout the event and be sure to follow @PoliticalTicker, @CNNPolitics and use #CNNDebate.

9:57 p.m. ET – Cain said one of the greatest threats to U.S. is cyber attack. Gingrich agreed with that. Bachmann said threat of terrorism has come home, she raised prosecution in her home state of those convicted of supporting Al Qaeda inspired group in Somalia.9:55 p.m. ET – @PeterHambyCNN: the Republican Party is officially all over the place when it comes to foreign policy

9:54 p.m. – Paul said Taliban is only concerned with killing Americans in Afghanistan because the U.S. military is present in Afghanistan. Romney agreed with Santorum on importance of Latin America to the U.S. He said Hezbollah is active in Latin America and U.S. must keep an eye on that.

9:53 p.m. ET – Perry said if we are serious about protecting Israel we need to pay attention to Syria.

9:51 p.m. ET – Romney said Obama "apologizes" for America and does not embrace American military exceptionalism. He said he does not support no-fly zone in Syria. Romney said Syria is getting pressure from many different countries and actors. Now is not the time for a no-fly zone he said.

9:49 p.m. ET Paul said U.S. should practice policy of "good will" to other countries. Paul asked why U.S. should spend more money to nation build. 'Why don't we mind our own business?" he asks.

9:49 p.m. ET – Q about how to stop terrorist groups from taking hold in Somalia

9:47 p.m. ET – Huntsman said sanctions against Syria and Iran won't work because of Chinese and Russian opposition. Huntsman said mullahs in Iran have already decided they want to build a nuclear bomb.

9:47 p.m. ET – Q from Twitter about current situation in Egypt

9:45 p.m. ET – Perry said no-fly zone would give Syrian dissidents and military chance to defect. Perry said Syria is a partner with Iran in "exporting terrorism," and if we are serious about Iran, then must be serious about Syria.

9:45 p.m. ET – Cain said he would not support a U.S. led no-fly zone in Syria.

9:44 p.m. ET – Q from audience about Syria, and whether you support a no-fly zone like Perry proposed

9:37p.m. ET – Perry said there is a need to stop magnets for illegal immigrants, but first order of business is to secure the border. Perry said he has been dealing with it for 10 years as Texas governor. Must put boots on the ground and aerial assets in the air to watch the border.

9:34 p.m. ET – Romney said "amnesty is a magnet." Said we need system that welcomes those who want to come to the U.S. legally. Said we need to stop in-state tuition for children of illegal immigrants and crack down on employers who hire illegal immigrants.

9:33 p.m. ET – @CNNPolitics: Gingrich supports "Red Card" process where immigrants could become "legal" but could not get "a path to citizenship." #CNNDebate

9:30 p.m. ET – Gingrich said U.S. should have a visa attached to every math and science degree to assure foreign graduates stay. Said he believes you need to find a system like a World War II selective board that reviews those already here as a possible path to citizenship for illegal immigrants.

9:29 p.m. ET – Santorum said he would champion regulatory reform to help money trickle down to blue collar workers and make the U.S. a more welcoming place for legal immigrants.

9:27 p.m.ET – Cain said we know terrorists have entered U.S. from Mexico. Said we must secure border "for real." Said U.S. needs to reform path to citizenship and empower states to do what federal government is not doing with illegal immigrants.

9:25 p.m. ET – Paul said U.S. war on drugs is "total failure" and contributes to problems at border. Paul said prescription drugs are bigger killer than illegal drugs.

9:24 p.m. ET – Perry said strong border security is important not just because of cartels, but because of Hamas and Iran involvement in Latin America.

9:07 p.m. ET – @BuddyRoemer: Everything ought to be on the table – oil subsidies, ethanol, entitlements, the military. We have to be strong, but military on the table

9:06p.m. ET – Huntsman said foreign policy must be driven by economics in era of a rising China.

9:04 p.m. ET Gingrich said he would bomb Iran's nuclear capability only as a last recourse and only to make sure current regime is finished.

9:02 p.m. ET – Romney said his first trip abroad as president would be to Israel.

9:01 p.m ET@EWErickson: Ron Paul actually gets a great comeback at Mitt Romney and actually shows he knows more about the budget than Romney on this point. Wow.

9:00 p.m. ET – Paul said budget cutting on Capitol is a "road to disaster". Said members of Congress are just "nibbling". Romney said Congress is cutting programs that are cutting America's ability to defend itself.

8:59 p.m. ET – Cain said there must first be clarity of goals before deploying aid to countries. Paul said U.S. aid must stop in order to deal with U.S. financial condition and deficits.

8:57 p.m. ET – Santorum said development assistance is important. Criticized candidates who support zeroing out aid.

8:56 p.m. ET – Candidates were asked if they would step up Iran sanctions or change tactics.

8:55 p.m. ET – Bachmann took question back to Israel and Iran's statement that it would eradicate Israel from face of the earth. Said Obama has failed the American people and has given Iran "the luxury of time" to build a weapon.

8:53 p.m. ET – Gingrich said solution is increasing U.S. production of energy to create a surplus which would negate need for Iranian oil on the world market. He said he does support sanctioning the Iranian central bank.

8:52 p.m. ET – Perry said U.S. should use every sanction possible against Iran, including sanctioning Iran's central bank. Says Obama shows lack of leadership for not doing so.

8:51 p.m. ET – Cain said if we pull out of Afghanistan too soon, Iran will fill power vacuum there.

8:50 p.m. ET – @donnabrazile: Cain is so out of his league. Please let him take a break to study.

8:49 p.m. ET – Paul said he would not support such attack. Said U.S. needs to get out of Israel's way. Said it is their own business who they attack. He says Israel can take care of themselves since they have nuclear weapons.

8:48 p.m. ET – Cain said if Israel had credible plan he would support, and U.S. would join if clear victory plan existed.

8:47 p.m. ET – Q about possibility of Israel attacking Iran, would you support or assist?

8:45 p.m. ET – @HowardKurtz: Newt had good applause line on being "furious" with Pakistan re Osama, but never quite said what he'd so about that country – or Afghanistan

8:43 p.m. ET – @natlsecuritycnn: Huntsman: we haven't done a good job defing the end point in #Afghanistan

8:42 p.m. ET – Santorum said Obama is playing politics with decisions in Afghanistan.

8:40 p.m. ET – Gingrich said U.S. should be furious bin Laden was found in Pakistan. Says we should tell Pakistan "help us or get out of the way."

8:39 p.m. ET – Huntsman said commander in chief is the one who makes final decision and should take input from wide variety of voices.

8:37 p.m. ET – Romney pushed Huntsman on his position. Romney said commanders on the ground have said this is not time to cut and run, and Romney said he agrees with them.

8:36 p.m. ET – Huntsman disagreed with Romney. Said we have achieved important goals like death of Osama bin Laden. But says we should reduce footprint to Special Forces, and said U.S. is getting tired of long term presence there.

8:35 p.m. ET – Romney said there should be gradual transition to Afghan control. Said we should just not "pull up stakes" and get out of town.

8:34 p.m. ET – Q about amount of spending in Afghanistan

8:33 p.m. ET – Perry responded saying we should remain engaged in that part of the world, justshould not write "blank checks."

8:30 p.m. ET – Bachmann said it is important to remain engaged in Pakistan to not lose influence to China. Said she would continue aid to Pakistan, but says Obama policy of "keeping your fingers crossed" is not working and calls the approach "too nuclear to fail.

8:30 p.m ET – @donnabrazile: Huntsman: #CNNdebate. Pakistan is a concern that should keep us up at night. A nation-state that is a candidate for failure.

8:29 p.m. ET – @THEHermanCain: Team HC: The terrorists have one objective: to kill all of us! We must use every means possible to identify them first! #cnndebate

8:28 p.m. ET – Huntsman said Washington is in a state of dysfunction and must be ready to deal with this threat. Huntsman said it is time to bring troops out of Afghanistan.

8:27 p.m. ET – Q on extended drone campaigns in Pakistan and whether it would help defeat Al Qaeda

8:26 p.m. ET – Former Godfather's CEO Herman Cain said it may be appropriate to update the Patriot Act but we "should not throw baby out with the bathwater." On profiling, Cain said let's ask the professionals what will work.

8:24 p.m. ET – Paul disagreed with Santorum. Asks what if terrorist looked like Timothy McVeigh. Says it would be a "sacrifice" if Patriot Act goes on.
8:22 p.m. ET - GOP candidates debate the merits of profiling in order to protect our country from terrorist attacks.

8:17 p.m. ET – Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann said new technology has changed the way we investigate terrorism. Says President Obama has turned terrorism prosecution to ACLU. Said we should not give Miranada warnings to suspects.

8:16 p.m. ET – Gingrich disagreed with Paul. Says he wants a law that says if you attack U.S. we will come after you.

8:15 p.m. E.T. – Texas Rep. Ron Paul said Patriot Act is "unpatriotic". Said we have given up our liberty to provide for security.

8:14p.m. ET – Newt Gingrich said "all of us will be in danger" for the rest of our lives and says he would not change the Patriot Act. Says he would strengthen it as president.

soundoff(948 Responses)

Shawn

Talk to any body that has been over in Afghanistan to train that countries troops and they will all tell you the same thing "As soon as we (the American military ) leave the country is going to fold". It's a waste of time and money.

November 22, 2011 08:49 pm at 8:49 pm |

Glenn

In the interest of job creation and economic stabilization and growth, if elected President, would you invoke a Nationalist Domestic and Foreign Policy promoting the US as a global enterprise zone for foreign investment concurrent with graduated tariffs on imports to compel US Made, US Jobs, and the American Way of Life?

November 22, 2011 08:49 pm at 8:49 pm |

Chelsea Bond

If you are elected as President of the United States, would you have any hesitation about appointing a Muslim to the federal bench? What about an atheist?

November 22, 2011 08:49 pm at 8:49 pm |

Jamison Chochrek

Do the republican candidates condone the use of military battle terminology (hence disgracing our service men and women) when talking about the Democrats? Things like "We will defend, battle, attack, flank our opponents?". Why are politicians using war battle words when they sit behind desks?

Jamison Chochrek
Boise, Idaho
3 Honorable discharges from the US Army, Reserves and Washington Army National Guard

November 22, 2011 08:49 pm at 8:49 pm |

Sohail Minhas

Does anyone know how many men in uniform and how many civilians has Pakistan sacrificed for the American war on terror? That is around 50,000, more than any of our other friends have done.

November 22, 2011 08:49 pm at 8:49 pm |

Anonymous

Santurom's comments regarding muslims are ignorant and borderline insulting. He should do some research on Islam.

November 22, 2011 08:49 pm at 8:49 pm |

Cincinnatus

Do you think that Iran will seek to drive the 12th iman prophesy to fruition by using the bomb?

November 22, 2011 08:49 pm at 8:49 pm |

Charles

It's a shame that Ron Paul's views on foreign policy is made out to be irresponsible. The larger threat is economic collapse...then none of it matters. We need to pack it in and rebuild this country first and take that chance.

November 22, 2011 08:49 pm at 8:49 pm |

Joel

Wolf Blitzer cuts off everyone except Mitt Romney. Why do we continue to let the media decide who we elect as president? Mitt Romney sounds just like Barack Obama. The only candidates on that stage with any real understanding of foreign policy are Ron Paul and John Huntsman. Newt Gingrich would create a religious war that would never end if he were elected president.

November 22, 2011 08:49 pm at 8:49 pm |

Alam

Israel gets the highest per capita aid from USA. What do you get in return? I want to ask the presidential candidates what kind of value do they assign to our relationship with Israel and what are the exact benefits for USA.

November 22, 2011 08:49 pm at 8:49 pm |

Raymond

Israel will definitely have a clear mission plan if they strike Iran.

November 22, 2011 08:49 pm at 8:49 pm |

Srhunsicker

Are you concerned by an increasing exercise of power by China in the South China Sea? If so, why and what would you do to to counter China's exercise of power?

November 22, 2011 08:49 pm at 8:49 pm |

Sassan Darian

To Ron Paul: how can you be so comfortable in a fanatical religious government like that occupying Iran to have nu clear weapons? You keep making the comparison to the Soviet's with "Mutually Acquired Destruction" but do you not understand that with these religious fanatics that their end game is world wide war and prophetic chaos?

November 22, 2011 08:49 pm at 8:49 pm |

Deaundrae G.

my question is, As we keep losing American Troops and americans losing love ones, are they willing to put on some boots and go help the troop and not just sit down in Washington D.C.

November 22, 2011 08:50 pm at 8:50 pm |

Gordon In Wisconsin

During tough Military times, and you're in the Hot Seat – What role does your Christian Faith play?

November 22, 2011 08:50 pm at 8:50 pm |

sid

i am with paul we should stick with him

November 22, 2011 08:50 pm at 8:50 pm |

Anonymous

When Russia fought Afghanstan in the 80's they lost and lost many troops, Also the country Russia went bankrupt, they told Us the united states not to go in and we are almost financially as bad off as Russia was in the 80's. My Question is what makes Us the usa think we can do it. To me this will NEVER end.

November 22, 2011 08:50 pm at 8:50 pm |

Anthony

Question for candidates: Ron Paul specific

Do you believe that the biggest threat to our national security is not over seas but the elected officials in our own government destroying our civil liberties? How could you fix the problem of Americans giving up their freedom not to terrorists but to the federal government. That is the real terrorist.

November 22, 2011 08:50 pm at 8:50 pm |

Meleik L.

I'm 18 and going into the military, what will you do to stop military/ defense cuts that would hurt benefits to military families.

November 22, 2011 08:50 pm at 8:50 pm |

Kenneth Lawrence

Go RON! GO!!! We should get out of the way of Israel's sovereignty.

November 22, 2011 08:50 pm at 8:50 pm |

Bryant

For any candidate: In terms of national security, is it more important to spread the democratic ideals of freedom and liberty or pursue global military supremacy?

November 22, 2011 08:50 pm at 8:50 pm |

Blitz

It's called being an Ally Dr Paul

November 22, 2011 08:50 pm at 8:50 pm |

Vince

As President, do you confidently remove troops from the middle east and risk more terorist attacks or even warfare on our soil, or do you keep troops in the middle east to keep all the warfare on their soil?

November 22, 2011 08:51 pm at 8:51 pm |

Debbie Dallas

So candidates, if you are elected President, how will you ensure that Brazil is our best oil customer instead of the Obama policy of the U.S. being Brazil's best oil customer? Why should WE subsidize George Soros and his affiliated companies??

November 22, 2011 08:51 pm at 8:51 pm |

Pat Parris

Ron Paul isolationism and Israel makes sense. Does he see Israel as a strategic ally?